Ravenous

It wasn't really funny, but Alessandro couldn't help a smile. 'Isn't that what you get for finding fun outside the pack?'

Perry hitched a shoulder. 'I fell to the lure of the exotic, I guess. It's not like I'd ever marry a human. I mean, I want a family someday. Our genes won't mix.'

Werewolves were all about their cubs. Family was something Alessandro would never have. But Holly might. Holly should. There was so much he couldn't give her.

But she gave me one shining gift: She wanted me. At least I know what it is to be loved—neither because nor in spite of being a vampire. Just for me.

Perry, who had experienced no such epiphany, emptied his beer. 'I don't get it, though. What's with human women? Why try to lure me to my death? Why not just tell me to go away and date someone else? I didn't deserve that. It makes me feel… like a B-movie hairy guy eating virgins. Y'know, a cliche. Life sucks.'

'I prefer: Suck life. The best antidote for depression is a bad attitude.'

Perry chuckled. 'I can see how hanging around with you is going to help me grow as a person.' He leaned forward, curling one hand around his beer. 'Speaking of monsters, don't look now, but the boy wonder just walked in.'

Alessandro looked around, not sure who Perry meant. His mouth dropped open. Ben Elliot stood in the bar full of vampires and werebeasts, looking around like a tourist fresh off the cruise ship. He watched with morbid fascination as Ben wandered up to the bar and ordered a drink.

'What's he doing here?' Alessandro marveled.

'And look who's coming to join him. Son of a bitch.'

It was Pierce. Alessandro hadn't noticed him sitting with a handful of other Clan Albion vamps. Pierce was wearing a soft linen suit, more appropriate to Miami than the rainy Fairview autumn. With slight stubble and a turquoise silk shirt, he looked every inch the rent-a-rake.

Alessandro narrowed his eyes. Pierce was leaning on the bar, perching one tailored butt cheek on the bar stool adjacent to Ben's. He ordered a drink, casual and unhurried, and turned to give Ben an incandescent smile.

Ben's answering nod was less casual, more businesslike, as if he had been expecting to see him. Do they know each other?

'So, does Elliot swing both ways?' the werewolf asked speculatively. 'I wouldn't have thought so, but from that eye contact, it looks like a pickup.'

Ben handed something to Pierce. The gesture was too fast, too sneaky for Alessandro to see what it was. Pierce slipped it into his pants pocket.

Alessandro and Perry exchanged astonished glances. What business would a prohuman economics professor have with a vampire gigolo?

'Excuse me.' Alessandro stood. Evidently he had one more task before he could leave.

'What're you going to do?'

'Either rescue a kitten or eat it. I'm not sure which.' Alessandro strode across the wooden floor, feeling the weight of his long leather coat swinging as he moved.

Pierce saw him coming and slipped from the bar before Alessandro reached them. That left the stool next to Holly's ex-lover vacant. Alessandro took it. Ben gave him a look of all-purpose dislike. Apparently he'd forgotten Alessandro's part in his rescue at the Flanders house.

'What are you doing here?' Alessandro asked, not bothering to hide his distaste.

'What's it to you?'

'Curiosity.' Perhaps you'll give me an excuse to snap your neck.

Ben took a sip of what smelled like rum and Coke, putting it carefully back on its coaster. From the glazed look in his eyes, he'd started drinking long before he got there. 'I wanted to see the wild side in its natural environment. Thought maybe I'd figure out why Holly picked this over me.'

'So, have you found an answer?'

'No. There's nothing special.' Ben glared around him. 'I don't get it.'

You wouldn't. 'What do you want with Pierce?'

Ben's head jerked down as he averted his gaze. 'He says he'll show me the sights.'

A feeling of sick, impatient pity washed through Alessandro. 'You think a tour of our cozy slice of hell will make you understand why Holly chose to be herself instead of turning into a female clone of you? Did you think perhaps you should love her for who she is?'

Ben didn't reply, but took another pull at his drink.

'Go home, Elliot. You won't like what Pierce has to show you, and I don't want Holly reading your obituary. In fact, I'd rather she never thought about you again.'

He peeled the rum and Coke out of Ben's hand and hauled him off the bar stool. He could afford to be generous with Ben Elliot. Ben was of no account.

With Perry's help, he got the professor into a cab. The young werewolf left at the same time, catching the last bus in a drizzling rain.

Alessandro stood outside Sinsation, searching for the threads of his thoughts. It was two in the morning. About an hour ago he had been planning to go in search of Mac. There was still time to get something done.

'Where did Elliot go?'

Alessandro recognized Pierce's voice. Irritated, he turned. 'He was drunk and obviously didn't know what he was doing. But then, you were quite aware of that.'

'You think I was going to show him a good time?'

'That's what he thought.'

'Huh. Okay.'

'Am I wrong?'

'What else would I be doing?'

Good question. But maybe he was reading too much into the remark. Pierce is drunk, too. Alessandro was faintly impressed. It took a helluva lot of alcohol to get a vampire intoxicated. Pierce's condition showed years of dedication and practice.

'I didn't offer the professor a refund,' Alessandro said, guessing it was cash he had seen change hands.

'His money's already spent.' Pierce gave an acid smile. 'Texas Hold 'Em can be damned slippery. There were some arrears.'

'Elliot deserves a fine for his stupidity.' And so did Pierce, who was well-known for his gaming debts.

'Why do you care what happens to the professor? He's an ass.'

True. Alessandro lit a cigarette. 'Why do you care so little?'

'Because I'm despicable. It keeps things simple.'

'And you like to degrade yourself.'

'It's my business. Not yours. Not the queen's. I'm just selling what she doesn't want. Who knew it had cash value?'

'It hurts her to watch, you know.'

'That's the point.'

Alessandro laughed.

'Is that funny?'

'I was really depressed tonight. Then I started talking to other people.'

'Whatever. I need a drink.' Pierce wandered back inside, his stride unsteady.

Alessandro looked out at the night, marveling. Everything looks impossible between Holly and me, but maybe there's hope yet. At least we're not insane. That's got to count for something.

Finally left to get on with his night, Alessandro pulled out his cell and turned it on. He'd switched it off before going into St. Andrew's cemetery.

His stomach turned cold.

He had five messages from Omara, all thirty minutes apart.

What now?